# Start Running For Beginners vs Interval Running Coach RunMate

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Start Running For Beginners at 16.6 against Interval Running Coach RunMate's 18.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Start Running For Beginners sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Interval Running Coach RunMate sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, Interval Running Coach RunMate every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Running For Beginners | Interval Running Coach RunMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 96.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 12 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Axiom Mobile LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111094628) | [Ihsan Yalcinkaya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1643776639) |

## What reviewers say

### Start Running For Beginners

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672)

This app guides beginners through a structured running program to build endurance and achieve fitness goals. It offers personalized coaching, progress tracking, and custom workouts, focusing on increasing jogging time without initial emphasis on pace or distance.

**Highlights:** Personal running coach, Couch to 5K training plan, Detailed training statistics, Distance, speed, and pace tracker, GPS route tracking, Calorie counter, Voice feedback

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $1.99 | per month |
| Full Version | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Full version | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Gradual progression
- 💪 Helps build endurance
- 🎧 Allows listening to music
- 📈 Tracks progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Audio prompts can be difficult to hear
- 🔒 Requires payment to unlock full features
- 🧭 No treadmill mode
- 🔄 Inability to repeat previous workouts

**Reported bugs**

- Sync issues when changing devices
- App crashes or freezes occasionally

**Requested features**

- Add more customization options
- Provide more detailed workout statistics
- Integrate with fitness trackers
- Offer more advanced training plans


### Interval Running Coach RunMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-running-coach-runmate/id6741709991)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $2.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $24.99 | per year |
| RunMate Life-Time | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Running For Beginners free?

Start Running For Beginners is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Interval Running Coach RunMate free?

Interval Running Coach RunMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Start Running For Beginners or Interval Running Coach RunMate have ads?

Neither Start Running For Beginners nor Interval Running Coach RunMate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Start Running For Beginners or Interval Running Coach RunMate?

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Interval Running Coach RunMate every 6 weeks. Most recently, Start Running For Beginners was updated on November 1, 2026 and Interval Running Coach RunMate on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*